The final rule identifies the CY 2018 Medicare policies and rates for the home health agency prospective payment system and wage index.

CMS projects that payments to HHAs in CY 2018 will decrease by $80 million. This equates to a net decrease of 0.4 percent when compared with CY 2017. This estimated decrease takes into consideration the expiration of the rural add-on, which is slated to expire on December 31, 2017. There is activity in Congress that would extend the rural add-on, and it could still be passed before the end of the calendar year (2017). CLA will post updated rates if the rural add-on is extended.

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